election observations
DESCRIPTION
The role U.S. state legislators can play in welcoming international observers in the United States or traveling to observe elections abroad. Includes original research from the US Helsinki Commission.TRANSCRIPT
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U.S. Helsinki Commission
State Legislative Leadership in Election Transparency
Neil SimonCommunications Director(202) [email protected]
NCSL Fall MeetingPhoenix, ArizonaDec. 8-11, 2010
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Overview
• Travel to observe abroad
• Facilitate observation at home
• Legislate for transparency
• Promote U.S. foreign policy
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Who observes
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How it Works: Ukraine 2010
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Election Calendar 2010-2011• Croatia (Jan.)
• Tajikistan (Feb.)
• Kyrgyzstan (June)
• Colombia (June)
• United States (Nov.)
• Haiti (Nov.)
• Belarus (Dec. 19)
• Finland (April 2011)
• Cyprus (May 2011)
• Turkey (June 2011)
• Bulgaria (Oct. 2011)
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Selecting ObserversElection-related experience -administering or observing, including as volunteer
Cultural sensitivity
Health-ability to work long days/nights in field
Ability to complete election observation forms
English-Spanish for OAS Countries-Knowledge of host-country region
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“The spread of democracy around the world has been one of the signal transformations of our times. Elections – observed by the international community, or assisted in other ways by it – are at the heart of this inspiring story.
The mere presence [of observers] can dissuade misconduct, ensure transparency, and inspire confidence in the process.”
Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General at
2005 Ceremony of Endorsement for Principles of International Election Observation
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History of U.S. observation2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010
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International commitments“They therefore invite observersfrom any other OSCE participating States and any appropriate privateinstitutions and organizations who may wish to do so to observe the course of their national election proceedings.” -COPENHAGEN DOCUMENT 1990
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Different Language, Same Challenges
Missing names
Wrong precincts
Technological glitches
Experiences and solutions can be shared across languages and borders.
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The U.S. in 2010
Less experience with international observers
Decentralized election system
Varying local laws and administrations
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Original Research on State LawsMethodology:
State statutes were located using Westlaw’s natural language search and searching each individual state’s annotated code using the terms “election observer or election watcher or election poll watcher or poll watcher or election challenger.”
When search terms failed, the relevant code was located by searching the index of the code for sections that would indicate who is allowed to be present at polling locations during the conduct of an election.
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STATES WITH LAWS ALLOWING PARTISAN OBSERVERS
50 ALLOW CT DOES NOT
ALLOW
U.S. HELSINKI COMMISSION
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STATES WITH LAWS ALLOWING NON-PARTISAN OBSERVERS
42 ALLOW9 DO NOT ALLOW
U.S. HELSINKI COMMISSION
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STATES WITH LAWS ALLOWING INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS
SD MO DC
U.S. HELSINKI COMMISSION
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State Legislation: The Solution
•Ensuring access
•Providing clarity •Upholding international commitments
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Fulfilling a promise“International observation of US elections fulfills our commitments under multilateral agreements, provides us with valuable perspectives and denies autocrats around the globe the cover of saying that they don't have to accept observers because others don't.”
Patrick MerloeDirector of Electoral Programs, NDI
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“International election observation has become an important part of the democracy-building process because of the opportunity to promote best practices and to exchange information.
NASS encourages the Secretaries of State, State Election Directors and all county and municipal election officials to lend their full support to facilitating international election observation where federal and state law allows.” -National Association of Secretaries of State adopted 2010
State commitments
http://go.usa.gov/1Qg
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Observer Code of Conduct• Impartial
• Identifiable
• Professional behavior
• Non-interference
• No comments to media
• Compliant with laws and regulations
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The local experience“Having international observers visit our county precincts and election office is an important part of ensuring a transparent process and provides an opportunity for learning and relationship building.
The visitors respect our process, stay out of the way and give our staff an opportunity to highlight how elections are administered in the county.”
-Edgardo Cortes General Registrar, Fairfax County, Virginia
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State and Local Benefits• Information sharing
• Confidence building
• Transparency
• International model
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Legislator and Staff Benefits
• Networking
• Knowledge
• Strengthening U.S. foreign policy
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Courses of Action
• Meet with observers during U.S. observations
• Secretaries of State letters to local officials
• Communicate about observation
• State or local legislation
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Legislative Action
• Add word or phrase “international observers”
• Add simple paragraph allowing access
• Pass detailed bill
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Promoting Election TransparencyModel legislation to:
• Allow observers at precincts, counting centers
• Promote local cooperation with observers
• Forbid observers from interfering in electionModel state bills online:
Short bill -- http://go.usa.gov/1Q2
Long bill -- http://go.usa.gov/1Q4